Which of the following is a routine item of PPE in clinical settings?

• A. Gloves
• B. Spinach
• C. Shoes
• D. Hair Dryer

Answer: (A)

In clinical practice, personal protective equipment is worn to create a barrier between the healthcare worker and potential sources of infection. The most routine item is gloves, because they provide immediate, disposable protection against contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, and contaminated surfaces. They’re used for nearly every patient interaction or procedure involving fluids and are changed between tasks and patients to prevent cross-contamination, with hand hygiene before and after use. While safety footwear matters for overall protection, gloves are specifically used for infection control in everyday patient care. Items like spinach or a hair dryer aren’t protective equipment in this context, and shoes are considered general safety gear rather than routine infection-prevention PPE.